A faction of the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa that was eventually recognized as the legitimate leadership paid $1.2 million to Jack Abramoff's former lobbying firm.

The Homer Bear Jr. faction hired Greenberg Traurig and worked mainly with lobbyist Michael Smith, who was forced to leave after an internal investigation. According to lobbying records, Smith and his associates worked on the tribe's "casino closure."

The casino had been shut down by the National Indian Gaming Commission because two groups claimed control of the tribe. After a new election and a lobbying campaign, Bear was recognized as the chairman by former acting assistant secretary Aurene Martin.

Abramoff is not listed on any of the lobbying documents and members of Iowa's congressional delegation say their actions on behalf of the Bear faction had nothing to do with the lobbying effort. The Meskwakis gave to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) and Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa).

The tribe then dropped Greenberg Traurig after the Abramoff scandal broke and hired Cornerstone Government Affairs. Smith took a job with the new firm last June and the tribe promptly hired Smith.

According to Senate records, the "SAC AND FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA" paid Smith and his colleagues at Cornerstone $80,000 from January 1-June 30, 2005 [Mid-Year Report].

In 2003, the "SAC FOX NATION MESKWAKI TRIBE" paid Smith and his colleagues at Greenberg Traurig $140,000 from January 1-June 30 [Mid-Year Report] and $300,000 from July 1-December 31 [Year-End Report].

In 2004, the "SAC FOX NATION MESKWAKI TRIBE" paid Smith and Greenberg Traurig $340,000 from January 1-June 30 [Mid-Year Report] and $420,000 from July 1-December 31 [Year-End Termination].

All figures are rounded to the nearest $20,000.

Get the Story:
Abramoff money went to Iowans (The Des Moines Register 1/16)

Related Stories:
Meskwaki Tribe working with ex-Abramoff associate (09/07)
Meskwakis gave $50K to group founded by Norton (04/22)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (03/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Lawsuit over Meskwaki Tribe's leadership dismissed (03/03)
Vitter denies helping Abramoff's former client (03/02)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)
Lawsuit over Meskwaki Tribe's leadership dismissed (03/03)
Meskwaki Tribe starts court to resolve internal disputes (09/06)
Rival factions of Meskwaki Tribe still feuding (01/22)
BIA reaffirms result of Meskwaki Tribe's election (12/19)
Meskwaki Tribe confirms delay in casino re-opening (11/20)
Bank wants court to rule on Meskwaki Tribe's funds (11/17)
Meskwaki voters replace four who were recalled (11/06)
Ousted Meskwaki leader claims election is illegal (10/28)
BIA to recognize results of Meskwaki election (10/22)
Another vote set for Meskwaki Tribe leadership (10/21)
Bear faction takes most votes in Meskwaki primary (10/16)
BIA will look at two Meskwaki Tribe elections (10/15)
Location of Meskwaki Tribe primary in dispute (10/13)
Meskwaki members nominate nine for recall (10/08)
Meskwaki factions still far apart on leadership (10/3)
Confusion reigns as Meskwaki takeover fails (10/2)
Elected Meskwaki council tries to retake casino (10/1)
Meskwakis using federal funds to pay attorneys (9/16)
Meskwaki casino shutdown extended by NIGC (9/12)
Appeals court sides with NIGC on casino shutdown (08/28)
Iowa county says it will evict Meskwaki rivals (08/18)
DOI judge says Meskwaki casino should reopen (08/13)
BIA calls on Meskwaki Tribe to hold recall election (08/06)
Meskwaki factions ask court to reopen casino (07/25)
Meskwaki factions and NIGC head to court on casino (7/24)
Appeals court holding hearing on Meskwaki casino (07/09)
Meskwaki dispute centers on recall petitions (7/7)
Meskwaki faction agrees to create election board (7/3)
Meskwaki faction votes to oust law firm (6/27)
Meskwaki faction says BIA agreed to election (6/23)
DOI meeting with Meskwaki Tribe canceled (6/20)
DOI to discuss Meskwaki leadership dispute (6/19)
Editorial: Don't interfere in tribal affairs (6/19)
Meskwaki faction wants to fire rival law firm (6/10)
8th Circuit court won't reopen Meswaki casino (05/30)
8th Circuit reviewing Meskwaki casino shutdown (5/28)
BIA won't recognize Meskwaki Tribe election (5/27)
Federal marshals close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/23)
Meskwaki voters asked to choose new leaders (5/22)
Meskwaki voters urged to vote for new council (5/21)
NIGC asks court to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/20)
Judge calls for receivership for Meskwaki funds (5/19)
Meskwaki casino stays open during leadership spat (5/15)
NIGC orders Meskwaki Tribe to close casino (5/14)
State threatens Meskwaki compact over dispute (5/9)
Meskwaki factions can't agree on discussions (5/8)
Talks between Meskwaki leaders break down (5/6)
Meskwaki Tribe works to resolve dispute (5/5)
NIGC says Meskwaki Tribe in violation of IGRA (5/1)
Meskwaki leadership dispute continues (4/30)
Editorial: NIGC should interfere in tribal dispute (04/24)
NIGC threatens to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (4/23)
Meskwaki leadership dispute won't affect payroll (4/18)
Federal judge won't intervene in Meskwaki dispute (4/16)
Meskwaki Tribe undergoing leadership struggle (4/10)
Meskwaki tribal council removed and replaced (03/27)